Chapter 74 A Diversion Tactic
On the other end of the phone, Clara's voice carried a deliberately pitiful tone. "Emily, I know you don't want to see me right now, but I really have no choice. Dad found out what I did at school today, and he's furious, completely disappointed in me. He's been drinking heavily and crying, saying he misses you terribly and wants to see you to apologize properly."
Emily let out a cold laugh. "Simon wants to apologize to me? Do you think I'd believe that?"
She knew Simon too well—that man who only cared about profit. Even drunk, he'd only throw a tantrum, never genuinely humble himself before the daughter he considered useless.
"It's true! He's at Neon Pulse Club right now, clutching your photo and crying, saying he treated you too badly before and wants to make it up to you. I've been trying to calm him down for ages, but he won't listen. He insists on seeing you. I had no choice but to call you. Emily, even if it's just because he's your father, please come?"
Emily fell silent. She knew this was most likely a trap set by Clara and Simon, but she couldn't help feeling a flicker of uncertainty.
Seeing Emily's hesitant expression, Elodie tugged at her sleeve and shook her head.
Emily knew Elodie was worried about her, but she also wanted to see what they were really planning.
Knowing Emily had made up her mind, Elodie could only cover the phone and whisper urgently, "You can go, but you must take all your bodyguards! If Simon really has ulterior motives, with so many bodyguards there, he wouldn't dare try anything."
"But the children..."
"We're almost at the community entrance. The security is good there; they'll be safe. I'll take them home first, then come find you immediately."
Emily turned to look at Elodie, seeing the worry in her eyes, then glanced at the children in the back seat.
Jasper and Ethan nodded at her, their eyes filled with determination. Little Emma had already fallen asleep against Jasper's shoulder.
Emily spoke into the phone, "Fine, I'll be there soon. Clara, I'm warning you—if you try any tricks, you won't be able to handle the consequences."
After hanging up, Emily immediately contacted her security team, telling them to gather at the Neon Pulse Club entrance.
As the car stopped, before getting out, Emily repeatedly reminded Jasper, "Remember to watch Ethan and Emma when you get home. Don't open the door for anyone. I'll be back soon."
"Don't worry, Mom. I'll protect Elodie, Ethan, and Emma."
Seeing the children's agreement, Emily turned and got into her bodyguards' car, heading toward Neon Pulse Club.
Throughout the drive, she wondered what Simon was really planning.
The car stopped at the Neon Pulse Club entrance, where over a dozen bodyguards in black suits were already waiting. Seeing Emily get out, they respectfully approached. "Ms. Johnson, we've checked the area around Neon Pulse Club. Nothing suspicious."
Emily nodded and followed the bodyguards into the club, using the room number Clara had given her to find the private room.
Pushing open the door, a heavy smell of alcohol hit her. Simon sat on the sofa, clutching a picture frame containing a childhood photo of Emily.
His face was streaked with tears, his eyes glazed, and when he saw Emily enter, he struggled to stand. "Emily, my daughter, you finally came."
Emily stepped back, watching him warily as her bodyguards immediately positioned themselves in front of her.
But Simon showed no aggression, only staggered closer, mumbling, "I'm sorry, I treated you so badly before. I shouldn't have made you suffer so much, shouldn't have arranged for you to sleep with other men, shouldn't have thrown you out of the house."
As he spoke, he pulled a bank card from his pocket and pressed it into Emily's hands. "There's five hundred thousand dollars in here—it's compensation. Take it. If you ever have difficulties, just tell me."
Emily looked at the bank card in her hands, then at Simon crying before her, completely bewildered. Was this really Simon?
That ruthless man who only cared about profit was actually apologizing sincerely and voluntarily giving her money?
Though five hundred thousand dollars could hardly make up for all the harm he'd caused her.
Clara chimed in from the side, "Emily, look at how Dad is. Please forgive him."
Forgiveness was impossible, but she'd definitely take the money.
What kind of fool would refuse money handed to them on a silver platter?
Emily felt confident in this moment.
Her bodyguards were waiting in the hallway outside. One signal from her, and those imposing men would storm in and restrain Simon and Clara.
So she needed to figure out what Clara's real purpose was in calling her here.
Emily turned to leave. "If that's all you wanted to say, I'm going now."
But Simon suddenly grabbed her wrist, a flash of complex emotion in his eyes. He seemed to want to say something but was too drunk to articulate it, only choking out, "Don't go, stay with me a little longer."
Emily thought they were finally getting to the point, but Simon just sat on the sofa rambling drunkenly about how his past actions were all unavoidable, how he'd had no choice.
Emily grew increasingly angry. Excuses, all excuses!
This was just like men—embezzling his wife's assets, draining every bit of value from her, and still thinking himself the victim, the innocent party.
Emily had heard enough. She forcefully shook off Simon's reaching hand and strode out of the private room.
This disgusting place—she just wanted to escape as quickly as possible.
But unease still lingered in her heart. Things couldn't be this simple.
What were Simon and Clara really planning with this charade?
As the car headed toward the community, Emily watched the night scenery outside, silently reminding herself: whatever tricks Simon and Clara were pulling, she couldn't let her guard down. She had to protect the children and never let them be hurt again.
What she didn't know was that after she left, the drunken haze vanished from Simon's face instantly, his eyes full of malice as he coldly asked Clara, "Is everything taken care of?"
"Don't worry, Dad. They've already been taken away."